Description

Between 1826 and 1884, Dr. Robert. B. Folger (1803-1892), a physician and Masonic historian, wrote at least three manuscript ritual books, two of which were in an obscure and virtually impenetrable cipher. Folger, who had a penchant for controversy, was concealing the fact that he was trying to import the "Rectified Scottish Rite" (also called the R.E.R. or C.B.C.S.) into the United States. The R.E.R. was well-known as a European offshoot of the mysterious Rite of Strict Observance, which claimed that freemasonry descended from the Knights Templar.

For the first time, all of Folger’s ritual manuscripts have been deciphered in full. This dramatic and important book presents the full ritual contents of the earliest known English-language version of the R.E.R.’s Craft degrees, as well as Folger’s complete transcriptions of the Scottish Rite (Rose Croix) Craft ritual, with its installation and table ceremonies, and all seven degrees of "Egyptian masonry" (Pastophor, Neocoris, Melanophir, etc.), plus extracts from the American Order of the Red Cross and Knight Templar degrees.

The authors’ introduction places these degrees in their historical context, which occurred during the most turbulent period of Masonic history. Included is the cryptanalysis of Folger’s ciphers and biographies of the principals. Folger was a man of curious contradictions; a passionate Mason, he was twice expelled from Grand Lodge, and yet died a Mason in good standing.

Join renowned Masonic historian and expert code breaker S. Brent Morris as he teams up with Arturo de Hoyos, the world’s foremost authority on Masonic rituals, on a journey to break the code and solve the secrets of Folger’s mysterious manuscripts.

A true life adventure featuring an ancient manuscript owned by Macoy Publishing and involving the code breaking skills of Macoy's staff.

Learn the origins of the myth that Freemasonry was founded by the Crusaders.

Discover the first recorded Masonic lodge in the United States.

Effortlessly learn the history of American Freemasonry while following the story.

Read a faithful reproduction of the rituals contained in the manuscript.